Chief Operating Officer; COO

• Description
  The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Centralized High Impact Programs is a key member of the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South’s C‑Suite, reporting directly to the President & CEO. This position provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the YMCA’s largest business units representing over $50 million in annual revenue and serving thousands of children, teens, and families across the Mid‑South.

The COO is responsible for ensuring excellence, innovation, and sustainability across a diverse portfolio of programs, including the USDA Child Nutrition Program, Early Childhood and Education, Youth Development (Before & After School), Teen Programming (including Middle School After school and Teen Nights), and Intervention Programs that support youth and families across the region.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, innovative, and operationally minded leader with a proven record of success leading large, complex organizations — preferably within the YMCA movement— who can build strong relationships, develop high-performing teams, and position the YMCA.

• Serve as a core member of the YMCA’s C‑Suite, contributing to all major organizational decision‑making, strategy development, and long‑term planning.
• Provide vision, innovation, and leadership for centralized high‑impact programs that align with the YMCA’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Partner with the CEO and peers to ensure organizational growth, operational efficiency, and consistent quality across all program areas.
• Lead the development of annual operating plans, budgets, and measurable KPIs aligned with strategic goals.
• Position the YMCA as an industry leader in early learning, youth development, nutrition services, and community‑based impact initiatives.

• Responsible for the daily operations of major program areas generating over $50 million in annual revenue, including:
• USDA Child Nutrition Program
• Early Childhood and Education
• Youth Development (Before & After School)
• Teen Programs (including Middle School After school and Teen Nights)
• Intervention Programs designed to engage and support at‑risk youth and families.
• Responsible for ensuring all programs meet or exceed compliance requirements, quality standards, and participant satisfaction goals.
• Implement systems to monitor program performance, financial results, and impact metrics.
• Lead innovation in program design and delivery to meet evolving community needs and strengthen outcomes.
• Drive operational excellence and growth through data‑informed decision‑making, efficient systems, and high standards of accountability.
• Create and maintain policies and procedures that ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across all program areas.

• Lead and develop a team of three Senior Vice Presidents, providing mentorship, direction, and performance accountability.
• Responsible for more than 1,500 team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.
• Champion staff training, professional development, and leadership capacity‑building across all levels.
• Work closely with the Human Resources team to align workforce planning, training, performance management, and staff engagement strategies.
• Partner with the Director of Risk and Compliance to ensure operational safety, compliance, and risk mitigation across all departments.
• Promote a mission‑driven, people‑centered culture that reflects YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

• Ensure all programs deliver high‑quality, mission‑driven experiences with measurable outcomes.
• Lead and promote innovation within program design, structure, and delivery — piloting new initiatives that respond to community needs.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for program growth, partnership expansion, and community reach.
• Establish and monitor KPIs focused on program quality, financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and participant satisfaction.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts and integrate best practices in program management and service delivery.
• Res…